Greetings from San Cristobal, NM. This week, in the aspens. It’s leaf-peeping time in northern New Mexico and southern Colorado. I hope you’re able to get out there. I’ll have six days on the road with wonderful friends and great clients.
Greetings from San Cristobal, NM. This week my favorite abandoned San Luis Valley homestead. I think you know the one!
On a photo tour/workshop last Monday we visited the high country around Hopewell Lake, the Chama and Antonito depots on the Cumbres and Toltec Railroad, and a few favorite locations in the San Luis Valley.
It rained most of the day but we were tenacious and worked between raindrops. The colors are beginning to turn and are vibrant from the rain under an overcast sky.
San Luis Valley homestead.
We worked in this location and I’m looking forward to seeing what my client Larry came up with.
San Luis Valley homestead through the fence.
Next, I’m heading out on a three-day trip, we’ll see what each day reveals.
I had a great show last weekend. Thanks to all who came out and for all the support, purchases, and many new collectors.
As always, thanks for looking. Have a great week. G
Greetings from San Cristobal, NM. This week a gallery of random abstraction in and around the block. I have many more of these taken on personal trips, photo tours, and neighborhood walks so future posts may occur. Mostly shot on an iPhone, I am constantly reminded of what a wonderful and spontaneous piece of equipment it is.
Click on an image to expand and click off it to go back. Enjoy!
As always, Thank you for looking. My thoughts are with friends experiencing the wildfires in New Mexico and California. Have a great week where you are. G
Greetings from San Cristobal and beyond. This week a two-day photo tour around northern New Mexico and southern Colorado. Nature and the elements gave up some wonderful photo opportunities, beginning with Taos Mountain and the iconic grove of cottonwoods.
On a photo tour of Taos and northern New Mexico.
The next stop on the photo tour was in Questa at an old house off the highway set back amongst some trees. I checked with a friend who said he would try and find me some information on this charming building and quiet setting.
House in Questa, NM.
Following a couple of stops en route, to photograph some wild horses, we wound up at this lake in the San Luis Valley. Moody and brooding skies were the order of the day.
Lake Tree, San Luis Valley, Colorado.
Speaking of the skies. Highway 142 crosses the Rio Grande in Colorado between the old town of San Luis and Heading west to Manassa home of Jack Dempsey, the “Manassa Mauler”.
The sky over Highway 142, Colorado.
Continuing the photo tour, there is also a stark view of a very subdued Rio Grande from the road bridge as it crosses the river.
The Rio Grande from Highway 142, Colorado.
I came across some of last year’s milkweed pods enduring against the elements. Did I mention the frigid cold winds? My guests were admirably brave, and filled with enthusiasm for whatever conditions confronted us.
On the second day, we encountered a troupe of young Bighorn Sheep in the Orilla Verde area of the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument walking on the road ahead of us.
Bighorn Sheep Orilla Verde, NM.
We parked the car and followed uphill and enjoyed watching and photographing them in their prime, natural environment. I can’t help but think that the one in the middle is telling them to “gather round” and show us their best side!
Bighorn Sheep gathering Orilla Verde, NM.
There were many more picture opportunities. I had to stop at some point. If you are planning to be in the area this year, join me on a photo tour/workshop and I’ll show you around.
As always, thank you for looking. Have a great week. G
Greetings from San Cristobal, NM. This week the Zapata Falls in winter with a lot of ice. I heard someone was ice-climbing in here a week ago, and some wild horses on the road home. I love it out here.
As you can see from the lack of photos, I didn’t make it to Chaco. I’ve camped at high altitudes in winter and never feared the cold or snow, however, I preferred to cancel this time and make a couple of local trips.
The Zapata Falls freeze heavily in winter, which makes for a slot canyon/ice cave experience. You’ll need microspikes if you go in winter or check out the falls in summer wearing your boat shoes! I was here two years ago with my friend, John, and his dog, Kiki. A dog in the shot gave scale to the place. Kiki is also on notecards at Cids, a local store.
Zapata Falls, Colorado.
Zapata Falls in Winter.
As you can see in the entrance there is a dog who happily showed up to give the scene scale. Grateful for fortuitous moments.
Entrance and exit to the Zapata Falls with a dog for scale.
After checking out the ice falls we stopped in at the Great Sand Dunes National Park, but the wind was blowing sand and it didn’t look like this, so we left and went home to our dog and a warm fire.
On the way home, we spotted several bands of the somewhat elusive wild horses. Only one band was conveniently placed with the Blanca Massif as a background. This band remained static against the ferocious west wind gusts that carried my hat out into the sage brush.
Wild or feral horses, Colorado.
We also visited two of my favorite locations in the San Luis Valley, the old homestead, and the red barn. I’ve added two images from previous shoots. The buildings are a litle more decrepit, with bits missing, but still enduring.
Old abandoned homestead and a fence ghost, San Luis Valley, Colorado.
Red Barn in black and white, San Luis Valley, Colorado.
It’s Milky Way season. Here’s one from San Cristobal a few years ago. I’ll be out watching again from the deck this season.
Milky Way and Tipi, San Cristobal, NM
As always, thank you for looking. Have a greta week. G
Greetings from San Cristobal, NM. This week, last week’s Wolf Moon rising over the Sangre de Cristo foothills, Truchas, the red barn, and snow horses.
As I mentioned last week, I was heading out to capture the wolf moon rising. The moon’s appearance lasted about ten minutes between the fast-moving clouds. I made several images during that time, and the scene below was fleeting as the sun came and went behind the clouds. I got lucky. I came away with three pictures where the elements came together. I’ll take what I can get from what presents itself.
Wolf Moon rising, Arroyo Seco, NM
And a close-up of when I first spotted the moon from the highway heading home.
I reworked this image for note cards and publication. Ansel Adams shot this scene in the 1950’s. A couple of months ago it was lit up with Xmas lights. You can still see some in this shat nailed to the crosses. It’s nice to its longevity at this location and longer still before Ansel made his iconic image.
Truchas, NM.
You know how attached I am to this location with the red barn. Every time I visit I see more dilapidation with new spaces for the wind to pass through. It’s beginning to corkscrew but I’m confident that the gaps will prevent the building from acting like a sail on the plain!
Red barn in black and white.
Red barn in color.
One more image I reworked this week for note cards, prints, and publication. This image has graced many a page in local magazines. Apples are the key to getting horses to come running.
Horses on the High Road to Taos.
As always, thanks for looking. Have a great week. G
Greetings from San Cristobal, NM. This week a white homestead in Colorado, a mountain peak, some old shutters, and a hiking trail I look forward to being on in a couple of weeks.
I love this stand alone scene near the Great Sandunes in southern Colorado. Join me on a photo tour/workshop and I’ll take you there. Winter or any other seeson here doesn’t disappoint.
Vallecito Mountain is a favorite peak in the southern Rocky Mountains of New Mexico. I shot this on a drive into Taos yesterday. I can’t complain about the commute or the scenery. There’s a nearly full (98%) moon tonight. If the clouds lift I’m going to head out and get some shots of the Wolf Moon rising above this peak. I hope you get to see it where you are.
Vallecito Mountain Light.
I came across this image below by chance. It’s from many years ago. I’m certain they are gone now but I will look next time that I’m in Ranchos de Taos. I shot them even longer ago in the 1980’s. After living in one place for so long, I get to see, and often document the changes. My earlier original image was shot on Kodachrome in 1989.
Wooden Shutters, Ranchos de Taos.
In about two weeks, snow and mud permitting, I’ll be hiking up here above our village. The mountain in the distance, with snow, is Taos Mountain, and the views to the west are perfect for watching a sunset. The area burned in May 1996. You can see that regrowth is slow. Scrub oak is resilient and prolific so these hills turn many shades of rust in the autumn.
The ridge road in San Cristobal.
As always thank you for looking, and for all the well wishes for my right foot. It has healed faster that the left one did, for that I am grateful. I promise to shut up about it from now on and only post pictures from my hikes and trips with my two new feet. Best wishes. G
Greetings from San Cristobal and beyond. This week a tree with heart. You’ve got to love a heart wherever you find it, Ute Mountain, Raptors, and more.
We came across this tree a few years ago. Pami and I stopped here again on our first New Year drive of 2024.
I liked how the tree is isolated from the distant background, so I made another picture of it, always having to remove the two powerlines that cross directly over the tree. I think it is worth it. After all, the power company put them in my way!
A tree with a heart, Costilla, NM.
You might recognize this location with the road to Ute Mountain. It’s usually the last stop on the way home.
The road to Ute Mountain, NM.
The Red-tailed Hawk had no intention of leaving its perch, so we watched for a while. We moved on before it did. I enjoy watching them wherever they choose to sit. Powerpole sitting is natural to them. Any high vantage point suits them very well. I’ve often seen them drop in from a pole onto an unsuspecting vole or garter snake.
Red-tailed Hawk, Mesita, Colorado.
Two days ago I went for a drive in the clearing snowstorm and spotted a bald eagle perched on a dead cottonwood snag in Arroyo Seco, NM.
Bald Eagle, Arroyo Seco NM.
Red barn in black and white, Colorado.
Sometimes a thing catches my eye and I have to run with it.
Baling wire for the fun of it, Colorado.
This snowplow was still making passes at the snow accumulations on monday around 11 am on our way to town. It was nice to wake up to a decent amount of snow for a change. Here in San Cristobal today temperature was -1º F (-18º C) at 7am. It finally warmed up to 27º F (-2.8º C) at 3pm.
Snow Plow, Highway 522 north of Taos, NM.
As always, thank you for looking. I hope you had a good week. Stay warm where you are. G
Greetings from San Cristobal, NM. This week a Sunday Drive around the San Luis Valley.
Well, I’m able to walk upright and without a scooter or crutches now! I feel good about that.
It was a beautiful sunny day last Sunday, with snow on the peaks and intermittent cloud cover, so we drove north to San Luis in Colorado and made a leisurely drive home, visiting some of the usual locations, which I’m sure you will recognize.
The shrine of the stations of the cross is situated on a mesa above the town of San Luis, reputed to be the oldest town in Colorado. The sign, made out of white-washed rocks, says so!
In this shot, I liked the juxtaposition of the cell phone and communication towers. Perhaps a direct line to the universe?
Stations of the cross shrine, and cell towers, San Luis Colorado.
The next stop on our Sunday drive route was the old homestead, photographed by me a hundred times. One day I’m sure I’ll have the last photo of this building standing before its final demise.
San Luis Valley Homestead.
On the road a sign proclaiming “Jesus 2024” with what appears to be the faded colors of a Ukrainian flag. I didn’t know Jesus was running in the upcoming election. May the best man win.
Jesus is running in 2024.
A seasonal creek running north-south through the lower valley. If you zoom in you can just make out the 14,000+ foot peaks of the Blanca massif.
Ice on a seasonal creek, San Luis Valley, Colorado.
The crows are back congregating every morning in our mostly dead cottonwood tree. I shot this image on Saturday. I’m happy to be up and fairly mobile and getting some fresh images again.
American Crows.
I do love a Sunday drive with no agenda attached.
As always thanks for looking and for all the well wishes. G.
Greetings from San Cristobal, NM, and a Happy Thanksgiving. This week we had the first snow on our local peaks and in the valley.
Not too much snow. It’s a late start to winter where we are this year. I see from our weather forecast that temps will drop next week. It’s all good for me as I’m in a foot brace again on my right foot this time, and with my leg elevated, I still have a lovely view out the windows and from the deck.
This was the scene from the kitchen window this week after the clouds lifted, leaving a few stragglers behind to fill in the little valleys.
First Snow, San Cristobal.
With my right leg elevated, I’m revisiting the archives again. Pretty much a repeat of last February, when my left leg was elevated. This time next year I look forward to hiking up and down the hills in the first photo.
First snow, Taos, 2011.
Great Blue Heron and Mallards, Rio Grande, Pilar, NM.
Red-winged Blackbirds, Arroyo Hondo, NM.
A horse taking shelter in Ranchos de Taos.
Vintage truck in the snow, Overland Ranch, Taos.
Lastly, a picture I came across, edited on my iPhone, from last year.
